Thread: Why are wedges better? Really!

Originally Posted by jebib3

I read on a blog that wedges were probably the best type of razor for a beginner to learn with. OK, I'm game, Why?

Blogs usually reflect just the author's opinion. If he doesn't explain why he thinks so it could be just that he is making an unfounded generalization. This is very common on the internet, and especially among inexperienced, or those with direct commercial interest.

For some beginners wedges are best, for other beginners full hollows are best, and yet for others somewhere in the middle is best. It's exactly the same with the round vs. square point.

There is one thing that is best though - to learn what are the differences, and then pick the type that matches better with your particular level of dexterity.

With the greatest of respect, Kees, does your argument not support the case for disposables?

Originally Posted by Kees

Are boats better than aircraft?

Yes. I have not yet figured out how to fish from an aircraft. Plus, when travelling by boat one is not subjected to virtual strip searches or pat downs from a fat dude with cheeto breath and smelly hands.

Wedges are an old throwback in straight shaving made when they didn't know any other way. I can't possibly understand who would want to shave via some old fashioned manner or shaving-har har.

Whatever you get stay middle of the road for your first.

Originally Posted by mudfly9

With the greatest of respect, Kees, does your argument not support the case for disposables?

It doesn't because it supports the use of an electric shaver. LOL

Originally Posted by bharner

Yes. I have not yet figured out how to fish from an aircraft. Plus, when travelling by boat one is not subjected to virtual strip searches or pat downs from a fat dude with cheeto breath and smelly hands.

Fishing from aircraft is a piece of cake. You do need plenty of line, a larger reel perhaps, a much longer gaff, and heavier weights. Casting accuracy is diminished somewhat but casting range is largely increased.

Regarding wedges, when you catch a fish while fishing from an aircraft, it can be easily gutted and cleaned with your wedge.

I like wedges but I also like the full hollows and the in between grinds. I think if it is a shave ready blade it won't matter what a new shaver starts with. With all of these analogies I'd like to bring it into the realm of the firearms enthusiast since I am one of them. Some guys like to dress up in period garb and shoot black powder guns while others opt for modern double action revolvers. Still others favor semi-autos and than there is a small minority who can afford to shoot full auto. All good, just what each individual prefers. I enjoy shaving with a good full hollow and they do a great job. OTOH, grabbing a hundred and fifty year old Sheffield wedge and shaving with it is just extremely enjoyable for the cool factor IMHO.

That fact that I may like something means that it is preferred by me but not necessarily better than something else.

The way I decided on my first razor was my rational thinking. I read somewhere (the wiki possibly) that full hollows were thinner which meant you would "feel" more through the blade. This seemed logical to me. Whether it is or not is a different story. I haven't used a wedge yet so all I know is what I have, a full hollow 6/8. I can feel what the blade is doing which has saved me a lot of pain as a beginner. If a wedge does this as well then more power to all straights. I do plan on owning a wedge just to see the difference though. Like most will say, pick something in the middle (half hollow) and start with that. If not, read up on the differences between the type of blades in the wiki and pick what sounds more suitable for you.

I'm by no means an expert on the subject, but i did find when starting out with a straight and experimenting with different types early on that wedges were a more comfortable shave for me. Maybe the heft of the metal counteracts the typical inclination to apply too much pressure. Or the added thickness changes the way you perceive the angle you're shaving whereas a beginner with a full hollow might use too small an angle. Either way, I'd say that anything you read on a blog is subjective material and not to be taken as fact.